Dollies can do the heavy lifting during a move to take the strain off your back–literally! These helpful tools can make moving significantly easier, but you’ll want to ensure you’re using the right type of dolly for your needs and that you’re using it correctly.
Join us for a guide to choosing the right dolly and how to use it safely and effectively!
Types of dollies
You’ll find many different types of dollies on the market. Here is a quick guide to help you differentiate between them:
Furniture dollies
Furniture dollies are flat, wooden platforms, usually squared or rectangular in shape, with four wheels. They sit low to the ground and are designed to slide bulky pieces of furniture across flat surfaces with ease.
Utility dollies
Sometimes called a “hand truck,” a utility dolly is a metal L-shaped device with two wheels and a small platform. This is the quintessential tool you might imagine when you hear the name. It’s great for hauling things like filing cabinets, boxes, and tall, narrow furniture. You can also find convertible dollies that transform into push carts.
Stair dollies
Stair-climbing dollies often feature additional wheels that make it easy to move heavy items up and down stairs and across uneven surfaces without over-exerting yourself. They may also feature a longer handle and wider base for more stability.
Appliance dollies
At first glance, an appliance dolly may look like a standard utility dolly, but these models feature a couple of key differences. First, appliance dollies typically have wider platforms to support large appliances. They also tend to include straps that secure your item to the frame.
Which dolly should you use?
You might be able to rent a dolly for use during your move, but it may be worth the investment to buy one if you frequently haul heavy items. Here are a few considerations to help you choose the right type:
What kind of items are you moving?
You may benefit from a dolly with a high weight rating if you have a lot of heavy furniture or appliances. An appliance dolly can simplify the moving process and facilitate navigation through doors and around tight corners, especially with oversized items.
Will you be moving up and down stairs?
If your destination isn’t on the ground floor, a stair-climbing dolly might be your best friend at the end of the moving day. These devices can take the strain off your back and help you avoid a disastrous injury.
Map out your route ahead of time. If you find a set of stairs in your parking lot or in your apartment or condo building, plan to buy or rent a stair dolly. The cost per day will likely be worth the added security.
How to properly use a dolly
Most dollies are relatively straightforward, but it’s essential that you know how to use your specific device correctly to avoid injury or damage to your heavy items. Here’s a rundown of how to use different types of dollies:
Using a furniture dolly
To use a furniture dolly, place it on the floor next to your piece of furniture, then have a friend help you lift the furniture onto the flat surface. You may need to remove drawers before loading. These dollies don’t offer any protection or security for your belongings, so consider using ratchet straps to secure your furniture to the dolly.
Then, simply push your furniture forward until you reach your destination. Be sure your friend is still available to help you unload your furniture.
Using an appliance dolly
Appliance dollies make easy work of heavy-duty equipment like ovens, refrigerators, and washing machines. Best of all, you should be able to load it up without assistance.
Slide the base under your appliance, then use the built-in straps to secure it. Once you’ve tightened the straps, tip the dolly back using the handle and push the unit forward or backward to get it to your desired location.
Then, unlatch the security straps and slide the base out from underneath. You can use this same technique for utility dollies to haul boxes, furniture, and other heavy items.
Using a stair dolly
To use a stair dolly, load it up the same way you would load an appliance or utility dolly, and then secure your item with straps. Stand above the dolly and pull the device up the stairs while walking backward or push it down the stairs while facing forward. The multi-wheel design should seamlessly handle the steps with ease.
Red Rover has everything you need to make your move easy and hassle-free!
At Red Rover, we believe that moving should be easy and affordable! Whether you’re searching for tips to use a dolly safely or looking for the best storage solutions in between moves, we’re here to help!
We offer full-service professional movers for local and long-distance relocations, as well as portable storage solutions, to keep all your belongings safe. Contact us today to learn more!